Clarke rejects Sussex move to opt to stay at Warwickshire

Former England all-rounder Rikki Clarke has ended speculation about his future by signing a new two-year contract with Warwickshire.

The 29-year-old was expected to join his fourth county, after previous stints with Surrey and Derbyshire, having received a formal approach from Sussex.

Despite receiving the offer of a three-year contract from Sussex, Clarke has now decided to sign a new deal that will keep him at Edgbaston until the end of the 2013 season.

“It’s excellent news that Rikki has committed his future to Warwickshire as he is such an important part of our squad for the future,” said Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles.

“We have some crucial games ahead of us as we target the last few fixtures of the county programme, and our eyes are firmly fixed on the title.”

Clarke’s decision to stay with Warwickshire is a timely boost at a time when they are pushing for their first County Championship title in seven years and exactly 100 years since they won the competition for the first time.

After arriving from Derbyshire late in the 2008 season, where he had a brief and unhappy stint as captain, Clarke has prospered during his time at Warwickshire, particularly under the tutelage of bowling coach Graeme Welch.